ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday gave additional charge of ministry of defense to Khawaja Muhammad Asif who is also minister for water and power, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
The development came days after the Supreme Court of Pakistan while hearing the missing persons’ case directed the defence secretary to produce the missing persons till November 28, or otherwise defence minister will have to appear before the court to face serious consequences.
It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was holding the portfolio of defence minister. However, now Khawaja Asif, after having been given this portfolio, will have to appear before the apex court.
In addition, the prime minister also gave additional charge of ministry of law, justice and human rights to information minister Pervez Rashid. The ministry of law and justice had been vacant since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led federal government took power following May 11 election victory.
The two federal ministers were assigned these additional portfolios with immediate effect, the notification stated.
